SL cricket needs major clean-up: Bayliss

7 April 2011 03:39 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 111 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

A A A

Sri Lanka’s outgoing coach Trevor Bayliss on Thursday said the country needed a strong and stable cricket administration to allow players to focus only on the game and not be distracted by politics.

“On the field, we’ve done pretty well for past 18 months,” Bayliss said in an interview with AFP. “Getting to the World Cup final itself is an achievement, though we lost (to India).”

But off the field, Australian-born Bayliss said, Sri Lanka could improve the way the game was being run in the country. “Good teams like Australia usually have got strong or good management backing the team up. That’s an area we can improve here.”

Sri Lanka Cricket has been run by an interim committee appointed by the sports minister since 2005. The minister picks the selectors, who also keep changing. “I am constantly amazed how well the players do (on the field), with all the distractions put in front of them. It seems to be the sub-continent way. That’s a skill in itself,” said Bayliss, 48.

Bayliss brought the curtains down on his four-year stint after the World Cup defeat in Mumbai last week. His tenure also saw the team make it to the World Twenty20 final and climb to number three in both one-day and Test rankings.

The World Cup defeat was also followed by resignations from skipper Kumar Sangakkara, his deputy Mahela Jayawardene and a three-member selection committee led by former batting star Aravinda de Silva. Bayliss said the resignations of Sangakkara and Jayawardene were regrettable.

“I think it’s a shame. They are the best two guys to take Sri Lanka forward. They probably had enough of putting up with distractions,” he said.

“These days the role of a captain has to deal with issues that sometimes have got nothing to do with cricket. They have done a great service to Sri Lanka. Guess, they deserve a break.”

Bayliss picked young all-rounder Angelo Mathews as a future skipper. “I think 23-year-old Mathews could be a future captain of Sri Lanka. Maybe a couple of years for him at the international level would do well to get some confidence first, before adding on the responsibility as captain,” he said.”

Bayliss was not sure if he could look back at his stint with total satisfaction as he did not achieve his goal of taking the team to their second World Cup triumph. Sri Lanka won their only World Cup in 1996 under coach Dav Whatmore, a former Australian player. “Have I achieved everything? I don’t know,” said Bayliss.

Cricket is a learning process. In my journey, cricket continues to be a learning experience.” Bayliss joins New South Wales as a coach, a position he held before taking up the job in Sri Lanka. Former Australian batsman Stuart Law, an assistant to Bayliss, has been promoted as the chief coach on an interim basis.

Comments - 111

TDM Thursday, 07 April 2011 03:48 PM

Well said sir thank you very much for your services

7 472

lloyds Thursday, 07 April 2011 03:51 PM

Thts what happened in the finals, why on earth they brought plyers from sri lanka (not vaas) for the final who hasnt got experience. Someone wanted SL to lose, dont know who

13 278

Mylanka Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:08 PM

Exactly....
Sanga’s unusual inactiveness on the final really proved these….

12 297

priyantha Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:26 PM

absolutely....

3 178

Lana Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:27 PM

Thanks sir for the service,and the brilliant articulation of words

2 247

haawa Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:28 PM

A true testimony of how ruling politicians can ruin everything,including sports.

2 195

Dinithi Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:28 PM

Being an australian not affected by the government here you can tell more. Please tell what areas to improve and who intervenes in cricket. Please name the people. That will be the best help you give.

1 264

ravi Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:42 PM

revealing this genuine truth is much appriciate as same as your service. thanks sir.

2 161

mohamed ismail Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:40 PM

the cat is out of the bag now. this is what all suspected and now since it is out, we hope the President will convince Sangha and Mahela to rethink their decisions and lead Sri Lanka to the next finals and bring the cup where it should have belonged this year.Sangha did nothing wrong. His mind was not there concentrating.
from cricket lover

81 46

Lalith Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:49 PM

When brainless guys manage affairs, what more to expect anything in this country.

3 136

Senna Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:39 PM

Thank you Baylis. I salute for your courageous work for the team.

3 203

Elaris Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:56 PM

Trevor Bayliss has expressed sentiments shared by most of the cricket lovers in Sri Lanka.

2 157

Professor Wickramati Thursday, 07 April 2011 04:57 PM

Cat is out - there is corruption and infiltration with politics; so so sad

0 137

Rohan Pathirana Thursday, 07 April 2011 05:16 PM

Mr Bayliss,...Well said....we all knew final was a shamble of sri lankan cricket.....as you said sanga & mahela are best sportsmen sri lanka have wished for and sad to loose them to political pressure or in your own word(destruction)
sri lankan politician destroyed this lovely island since 1948....and there is nothing left on her to destroy.....Now they see cricket is a success storey...so they all focus to taking in to their hands and to treat with the same fate done to mother lanka....Many before you, said the same thing about sri lankan cricket need major clean- up...but there no one in in sri lanka take that seriously......

2 153

Arya Fernando Thursday, 07 April 2011 05:33 PM

Mun Dinath Dinum! Paraduanth Dinum! Dupath Appi.....

6 56

Ronny Thursday, 07 April 2011 06:34 PM

So, the Sri Lankan politicians defeated our Cricket Team at the World Cup and not the Indian Cricket Team. Let Namal handle SLC also , we could win the next World Cup.

9 72

Charmaine Thursday, 07 April 2011 06:35 PM

Well said - it's about time some one spoke out

2 67

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 07 April 2011 06:38 PM

At last from the Horse's mouth. Being a non-Sri Lankan, he is at liberty to spill the beans as he feels fit. In any case, most right thinking people in Sri Lanka knew it all along with the way the most corrupt cricket administraion was handling affairs related to cricket. No wonder, both the captain and vice captain got frustrated as anyone can understand their sentiments. Let the top politicians and their family members now take over cricket and start playing "Pandu".

4 113

costner Thursday, 07 April 2011 08:53 PM

Can somebody tell who the culprits are?

0 18

Ane Apoi Friday, 08 April 2011 12:41 AM

Mr Ismail. Hellooooooooo!!!!!!!!! Read the articles above. WE DO NOT WANT ANY POLITICIANS, BE IT EVEN THE PRESIDENT, POKING FINGERS IN SPORT. PERIOD!!!

1 78

kalpage Friday, 08 April 2011 12:53 AM

Will his Passport be stamped so that he is not allowed to visit SL ????

0 28

Godaya Friday, 08 April 2011 01:04 AM

THESE STUPID POLITICIANS MISHANDLING OUR CRICKET MUST BE KICKED OUT UNCEREMONIOUSLY.

0 28

Titanic Friday, 08 April 2011 12:55 AM

Here comes the news, like the election results,more to come, RADEE SITINNA

0 21

hash Friday, 08 April 2011 01:35 AM

What is well said? Can we really be satisfied with the work he has done. Other than the experience players performing how many young talent he has identified and groomed to represent Sri Lanka in the future. With players like Mahela, Sanga, Murali, Malinga any team can perform better but problem lies on what he has done to future of Sri Lankan cricket and what has improved in Sri Lankan cricket under him. Thats why Gary Kirsten is much far ahead. See how many young talent he has pumped in to the Indian team.

343 36

kalpana Friday, 08 April 2011 01:44 AM

Let the 2011 world cup go away guys!!! Its history now.......and go ahead with your lives!!!!! It’s so pathetic to see that people are not realizing that we are the runners up, and we were beaten by a team which outperforms us on that particular day!!!!
It’s so disgusting to see most of the Sri Lankans cricket fans are slowly adopting an Indian spectator type mentality!!! When we lost to Australia in 2007 final none of these things happened. I get it now, all these because we lost to India!!!! Don't laugh, that’s the truth!!!!

62 19

anaya Friday, 08 April 2011 02:04 AM

sudda aththa kiyanakota ape desha mamaka balawega dan eliyata awith pissu natai.

3 43

Ramesh Friday, 08 April 2011 02:09 AM

The politicians killed rugby. Now they are on the way to kill cricket.God bless Sri Lanka

1 68

Shaun Friday, 08 April 2011 02:23 AM

At Last here comes the Truth. Thank you!

1 50

Why Friday, 08 April 2011 02:11 AM

Is there any purpose?. Why waste words and energy on the deaf.

5 50

Dulan Friday, 08 April 2011 02:26 AM

In no country has politicians interfered in cricket as much in Sri Lanka.

1 52

kosala Friday, 08 April 2011 02:38 AM

We could get the real truth out of an outsider not from a team member or a member from selection committee.Definitely there is a political interference behind the big confusion of Srilanka Cricket

0 39

SADARUWAN Friday, 08 April 2011 03:01 AM

its a comment of the interest of cricket.

0 26

Cynic Friday, 08 April 2011 02:51 AM

The fish rots from the head.

0 36

hash Friday, 08 April 2011 02:57 AM

Well said. Spot on. Unfortunate thing is that most of them try to get national politics also involved in this. In cricket the team that plays better on that day wins thats all.

41 14

Wimal_Modawansa Friday, 08 April 2011 03:38 AM

Are you still alive???

6 77

Dinesh Friday, 08 April 2011 04:12 AM

@ Harsh - Before writting alot try to undestand the facts

6 197

450 splasher ! Friday, 08 April 2011 04:07 AM

Our boys are the worlds best , even if they didn't come home with the world cup! Sanga, THANK YOU !

0 27

niyaz Friday, 08 April 2011 04:18 AM

Traitors never change or learn. All they are interested is to see how much they can get out of it. It's mind boggling to think how a few of them could bring so much sadness to 20 m people.

0 24

rashmi Friday, 08 April 2011 04:39 AM

he should have said this before the world cup to clean upand have a better team. may be he too did not want to risk his job.

18 4

DireStraits Friday, 08 April 2011 04:51 AM

cat? more like a tiger!

1 19

DireStraits Friday, 08 April 2011 04:52 AM

I was thinking of Gota!

1 33

Confucious Friday, 08 April 2011 04:56 AM

You fool, Trevor's the coach not a selector!

6 176

DireStraits Friday, 08 April 2011 05:14 AM

Why is that in SL we expect the President to do everything but change a man to a woman? oh I forgot!.... Yes he can!

2 43

sam Friday, 08 April 2011 05:17 AM

Those who shouldn't have resigned have resigned & those who must have resigned haven't done so.

0 38

I Hussein Friday, 08 April 2011 05:25 AM

Me, both.

1 26

sam Friday, 08 April 2011 05:27 AM

we have not seen real performance of our team that's why we are so worried.

0 14

bigsam Friday, 08 April 2011 05:31 AM

Only person not resigning seems to be the sports minister,

2 156

asoka abeywardena Friday, 08 April 2011 05:30 AM

Trevor Bayliss was last seen talking to someone near a white colour van...

0 39

Fairose Friday, 08 April 2011 05:32 AM

It is obvious, the ruling clan.

1 39

TAKA Friday, 08 April 2011 05:49 AM

Now Mahinda Abeysundara will call Mr.Bayliss "a traitor to the motherland "

0 51

Me Friday, 08 April 2011 06:05 AM

He might have had a sudden death, half way into the World Cup ;-)

0 24

Frank Nanhimi Friday, 08 April 2011 05:54 AM

Are you ready to do that?
I think all others want to strengthen their hands.
F.N

0 11

uglytruth Friday, 08 April 2011 06:14 AM

I fear this guy might loose his visa to stay in SL...

1 30

Faqi Friday, 08 April 2011 06:14 AM

The crux of the matter is obvious. Keep Politics out of Sports. Period - End of Story.

0 17

Dinesh Friday, 08 April 2011 06:52 AM

MR??? Mana - Mohan ???

3 46

Anura Friday, 08 April 2011 07:01 AM

Fellas--- this is Sri Lanka not Australia or England !!!!!!!

27 0

Rahmathullah Friday, 08 April 2011 07:10 AM

His comments deserve consideration. Politics should be kept out of sports if we really want to achieve. I salute this guy for his courageous comments.

0 35

CrickLover Friday, 08 April 2011 08:18 AM

Everybody knows, but never say.SL people wise, that's why never try to blame cricketers.

3 54

kumara Friday, 08 April 2011 08:25 AM

that is true . behind something we could not see.

0 10

jayasiriJj Friday, 08 April 2011 09:09 AM

Why watch SL cricket now?

8 7

asoka abeywardena Friday, 08 April 2011 09:23 AM

My friend make sure to collect all your dues from the cricket board ASAP....

0 26

bally Friday, 08 April 2011 09:33 AM

They all did the correct thing..... did their best for SL in trying circumstances.

0 12

malkanthi Friday, 08 April 2011 09:51 AM

As it is, corruption seem rising to an unbearable level, priests are blessing and praising the corrupted fellows daily basis, we are heading towards a national disaster!

2 24

Nihal bandara Friday, 08 April 2011 10:13 AM

Bayliss and the Opposition will not be singing this song, if we had won. The very fact that we came to the finals prooves that we had a damn good team, with or without political influence.

59 8

Fayad Friday, 08 April 2011 10:15 AM

Lots of praise for Gary Kirsten did we do the same to Dew Whatmore in 1996 ???????

2 47

Mohamed Zahidz Friday, 08 April 2011 10:23 AM

very very sad. somebody instructed to get this result. no doubt about.

0 15

samath Friday, 08 April 2011 10:37 AM

Only an australian has a backbone to say things in the public.....and we hate australia in cricket......

1 16

Anura Friday, 08 April 2011 10:45 AM

Malkanthi , you are absolutely correct.Kaata kiyannada ?

0 12

pooh127 Friday, 08 April 2011 10:57 AM

very true!!

0 13

Muraly Friday, 08 April 2011 11:41 AM

Very said story about Sri Lanka Cricket. We were fortunate with all our talents at a time and now unfortunate.

0 11

Frank Friday, 08 April 2011 12:09 PM

God Bless SLC & the whole nation

0 1

Obama laden Friday, 08 April 2011 12:16 PM

Please understand.trvers statement is his own view not the view of SL govt.

1 1

Upali Perera Friday, 08 April 2011 12:29 PM

Who ever comes up,it can be in cricket,it can be in politics,real managment is putting up with it through thick and thin.
No point changing the pillow for a headache.

0 1

Ara Friday, 08 April 2011 12:47 PM

And DS. He will also never resign like the Minister

1 0

Aruna Jayawardane Friday, 08 April 2011 12:45 PM

Well Said. Something that our cricketers cannot openly admit and comment due to political reasons. Not only cricket, everything is politicized in Sri Lanka and there is an overwhelming nepotism.

0 2

Ronny Friday, 08 April 2011 01:54 PM

Exactly. This is what is required more than what all others commented including myself.

0 0

Vishnu Gupta Friday, 08 April 2011 02:22 PM

Has anyone ever heard of a captain of a team thanking the President and his soothsayer after winning or losing a final?

0 2

Yehiya-Doha Friday, 08 April 2011 02:39 PM

Tomorrow they will say you not suit to coach. This our plitics.

0 1

Yehiya-Doha Friday, 08 April 2011 02:54 PM

Cricket also end of the road like rugby.

0 2

Senior Citizen Friday, 08 April 2011 02:59 PM

Ahh, how much better without politiical interference. We would have won - that is what Bayliss says- even with such background we did well.

0 0

Senior Citizen Friday, 08 April 2011 03:04 PM

It is politics that ruined cricket with interim committees packed with relatives.

0 1

Common Man Friday, 08 April 2011 03:57 PM

Its too late now.

1 1

Above the crowd Friday, 08 April 2011 04:54 PM

Jump in the lake hash,Are you writing on behalf of a POLITICO. shame on you.

1 11

Above the crowd Friday, 08 April 2011 04:55 PM

Go play pora pol ,you village boy.

2 7

Mifaz Friday, 08 April 2011 05:57 PM

Lost to Aussie was genuine in 2007.. Loosing to India does not seem realistic on the ground behavior of the players.. Very confusion

0 1

sam Friday, 08 April 2011 07:06 PM

hesh your comment look like the coach need to be in the ground at the time of the game....lol

1 4

Guru Friday, 08 April 2011 07:54 PM

Can never be cleaned.

1 4

YURI Friday, 08 April 2011 09:00 PM

you must be saying this at Boarding gate before Jump inside the plane> you so breave

4 2

jagath Friday, 08 April 2011 09:55 PM

Bayliss had announced that he would leave this position even before the world cup

2 6

DEON Saturday, 09 April 2011 12:50 AM

all i can say shame on lankans tigers they sold this final to india for IPL money shame on lankan team really your players defame the country name

9 0

Farzan Saturday, 09 April 2011 03:05 AM

Chain of resignations..................
Teaching us a lesson that the rubbish politic plays a big game in SL cricket.

0 7

simple mind Saturday, 09 April 2011 03:07 AM

but yet for all we lost. That is the point.

1 1

Tonto Saturday, 09 April 2011 02:58 AM

The mere fact he is saying these things is because we should have won

2 7

may Saturday, 09 April 2011 03:15 AM

so very true, well said.

0 1

YURI Saturday, 09 April 2011 04:39 AM

What about the rest? only Cricket...

0 4

gayan Saturday, 09 April 2011 04:47 AM

Bayliss's message is load and clear. Does the sports minister has the guts to follow....................your guess is as good as mine :-)

0 5

upul Saturday, 09 April 2011 04:59 AM

We had everything acceptable in good old days but now..........................?

0 5

frank Saturday, 09 April 2011 05:09 AM

many thanks Mr. Bayliss for clear picture of Sri Lanka Cricket

0 4

Ajiths Saturday, 09 April 2011 05:41 AM

He is a coach, not a selector...and exactly your view, that lies in the administration part of SL, which is what even he is concerned of.....

1 3

sandman Saturday, 09 April 2011 06:22 AM

Hash, you really made it a big HASH !!! Bayliss was clear about the POLITICAL issues involved in Cricket and the ever changing MERRY GO ROUND style of changing Selectors and the Committee itself. When this is the case how do you expect a Foreigner who is being PAID for his services, to perform miracles like you have mentioned. The Top people just do not care , they just live on their greed for power and money NOTHING ELSE MATTERS TO THEM.

1 4

sandman Saturday, 09 April 2011 06:29 AM

Thank you Trevor, you did a wonderful job with our boys and all Sri Lankan Cricket fans would wish you all the very best in whatever you do next.

0 6

kaputakukula Saturday, 09 April 2011 06:38 AM

If our boys are the world's best the world cup should have been won. Don't just bla bla... accept the truth.

0 2

Shehan123 Saturday, 09 April 2011 06:39 AM

We reqruted you for a contract( 2 Or 4 Years) , if you completed the job , Its better for you to leave with out advicing us what to do next.. We have more advices than appriciations.

7 0

buahel Saturday, 09 April 2011 08:09 AM

OWWA OHOA THAMAIE.... OWWA OHOMA THAMAIE

0 3

Ruwan Saturday, 09 April 2011 08:32 AM

There is a rumor that Namal Rajapakse is going to be Head at SL Cricket. Dayasiri too had commented on this at Parliament.
Are we too forget about 2015 WC ?

1 1

Indika Saturday, 09 April 2011 08:48 AM

It’s not his job to inject young blood! That’s the job of so called “selection committee” and “cricket board”. You better learn the structure and duty of each, before comment! lol''

1 3

Indika Saturday, 09 April 2011 08:57 AM

@ Nihal Bandara,
The fact that we came to final is “we were in group B and our opponents were weak”!
Luckily we escaped from Aussies and lost against Pak, the only two strong teams in that group! Look India and their rivals in quarter and semi? Imagine the pressure they got compare to what we had. I’m a patriotic Sri Lankan cricket lover but, fact is fact!

0 1

I Hussein Saturday, 09 April 2011 09:42 AM

In that case no wonder Sanga & Mahela resigned or maybe asked to step down paving way for 'his' pal to lead the team.

0 1

Prasad Wimalagunarat Saturday, 09 April 2011 10:53 AM

Very good idea. But too late.Can't you come with a better idea

0 1

Prasad Wimalagunarat Saturday, 09 April 2011 11:06 AM

When did you get up from the bed?

1 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.